Upper Mustang Motorbike Tour – 14 Days

Altitude: approximately 1,400 m
Accommodation: Hotel
Activities: Airport arrival, transfer, briefing

Welcome to Nepal.

A Robinson Crusoe Holidays representative will receive you at Tribhuvan International Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu.

After check-in and refreshment, you can relax or take a short walk around Thamel. In the evening, we will introduce the riding team, review the itinerary and discuss the road, weather, altitude and safety considerations.

Overnight: Kathmandu.

Today combines cultural orientation with motorcycle preparation.

After breakfast, visit some of Kathmandu’s major heritage sites, depending on available time and your group’s interests. A cultural introduction to Nepal helps put the Mustang journey into a wider historical context.

Later, meet the motorbike guide and mechanic for:

• Motorcycle inspection
• Helmet and riding-gear check
• Test ride
• Brake and clutch familiarisation
• Riding formation briefing
• Hand signals
• Basic off-road techniques
• Road and safety briefing

This day is particularly useful for riders who are unfamiliar with Himalayan road conditions.

Overnight: Kathmandu.

Altitude: approximately 800–900 m
Riding: 6–8 hours
Terrain: Highway / mountain road

After an early breakfast, begin the first major riding day.

The route follows the Prithvi Highway through river valleys and rolling hills toward Pokhara. Depending on road and traffic conditions, there will be opportunities for breaks along the route.

As you approach Pokhara, the landscape changes dramatically and Himalayan peaks begin to appear.

Pokhara is the gateway to the Annapurna and Mustang regions and is beautifully situated beside Phewa Lake.

Evening: Free time around Lakeside.

Overnight: Pokhara.

Altitude: approximately 2,500 m
Riding: 5–7 hours
Terrain: Asphalt, gravel and mountain road

The real Himalayan riding adventure begins today.

Ride west and north through Baglung and Beni, following the Kali Gandaki corridor toward Tatopani.

Along the way, the scenery changes from green hills and terraced farmland to increasingly dramatic mountain landscapes.

Highlights may include:

• Kusma and its suspension bridges
• Beni
• Kali Gandaki River
• Tatopani
• Rupse Waterfall
• Ghasa
• Tukuche
• Kalopani

Beyond Beni, road conditions become considerably rougher. Riders should be prepared for gravel, rocks, dust, uneven surfaces and occasional water crossings.

Overnight: Kalopani.

Distance: approximately 60–70 km
Altitude: approximately 3,600–3,650 m
Riding: 4–6 hours

Today you enter the landscape for which Mustang is famous.

Ride through Marpha, one of the best-known settlements of the lower Mustang region, and continue toward Jomsom.

The vegetation gradually becomes thinner and the landscape increasingly dry.

From Jomsom, continue toward Kagbeni, an important historical settlement at the gateway to Upper Mustang.

At the restricted-area checkpoint, the required permits are checked before continuing north.

From Kagbeni the route becomes distinctly more rugged and Trans-Himalayan. Continue through:

Tangbe → Chhusang → Chele → Samar

The mountain scenery becomes increasingly spectacular, with Nilgiri and surrounding peaks appearing above the valley.

Overnight: Samar.

Distance: approximately 60–70 km
Riding: 5–7 hours
Highest points: approximately 3,850–4,200 m depending on route

This is one of the most spectacular and technically demanding riding days.

The trail climbs through high mountain passes and narrow valleys toward Syangboche.

Continue toward Ghami, famous for its traditional settlement, mani walls and surrounding cliffs.

The route then takes you through the dramatic landscape of Dhakmar, with its distinctive red cliffs, before continuing toward Charang.

Charang is historically and culturally important, with its monastery, traditional settlement and impressive mountain setting.

Finally, cross the Lo La area and descend toward the legendary walled city of Lo Manthang.

After arriving, settle into the local lodge and enjoy your first evening inside the former Kingdom of Lo.

Overnight: Lo Manthang.

Today is dedicated to exploring the cultural heart of Upper Mustang.

Lo Manthang is a historic walled settlement surrounded by an extraordinary high-altitude landscape. The day can include:

• Traditional streets of Lo Manthang
• Chode Monastery
• Thubchen/Thugchen Monastery
• Jampa Lhakhang
• Namgyal area
• Tingkhar village
• Local homes and traditional architecture

Later, ride toward Chhoser, an extraordinary area known for its cave settlements and cultural landscape.

The caves, monasteries and cliff dwellings offer an opportunity to understand the long history of human settlement in this part of the Himalaya.

The exact sites visited depend on local access, weather and conservation regulations.

Return to Lo Manthang in the afternoon.

Overnight: Lo Manthang.

Altitude: high-altitude route
Riding: approximately 5–7 hours depending on route conditions

Today offers an optional but highly rewarding extension toward Kora La, near the Nepal–China/Tibet border.

Leave most unnecessary luggage at the lodge and ride north across the broad high-altitude landscape.

The landscape becomes increasingly open and stark, with wide plateaus, barren hills and enormous Himalayan skies.

Kora La has long been associated with traditional trans-Himalayan trade and movement between the Tibetan plateau and Mustang.

Important: Access toward the border is subject to current government regulations, security requirements, road conditions and local permissions. The itinerary will follow the regulations applicable at the time of travel.

Return to Lo Manthang for another night.

Overnight: Lo Manthang.

Today begins the return journey.

Ride south through the spectacular landscape of Upper Mustang.

The return journey gives you a completely different perspective of familiar landscapes. Changing sunlight often reveals different colours and textures in the cliffs and valleys.

Continue through:

Charang → Ghami → Ghilling

There will be opportunities for photographs and short walks around villages and cultural sites.

Overnight: Ghilling.

Distance: approximately 70–100 km depending on route
Altitude: approximately 3,700–3,800 m
Riding: 5–7 hours

Continue south toward Kagbeni.

The terrain gradually changes as you leave the high desert behind.

From Kagbeni, continue toward Muktinath, one of Nepal’s most important pilgrimage destinations.

Muktinath is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. The temple complex, natural springs and surrounding Himalayan landscape make it a particularly meaningful stop on the journey.

The evening can be used for quiet exploration and rest.

Overnight: Muktinath.

Distance: approximately 70 km
Riding: 4–6 hours
Altitude: approximately 1,200 m at Tatopani

Depending on your religious or cultural interests, the morning can begin with a visit to Muktinath Temple.

Then descend toward Jomsom and Marpha.

The landscape gradually changes from the barren high desert to greener valleys.

Marpha is known for:

• Traditional whitewashed houses
• Apple orchards
• Thakali culture
• Stone-paved lanes
• Mountain views

Continue south toward Tatopani.

After several demanding days in the high mountains, the natural hot springs provide an excellent opportunity to relax.

Overnight: Tatopani.

Distance: approximately 100–110 km
Riding: 4–6 hours

The route now follows the Kali Gandaki downstream.

The landscape becomes progressively greener as you descend.

Continue through Beni and onward toward Pokhara.

After checking into the hotel, enjoy a relaxed evening around Phewa Lake.

For riders interested in extending the experience, optional activities such as boating, paragliding or additional sightseeing can be arranged.

Overnight: Pokhara.

Distance: approximately 200–210 km
Riding: 6–8 hours

After breakfast, begin the final major ride.

Follow the highway through the middle hills toward Kathmandu, with breaks along the route.

Depending on traffic and road conditions, arrival in Kathmandu will generally be in the late afternoon or evening.

Tonight we celebrate the completion of the Upper Mustang adventure with a farewell dinner.

Overnight: Kathmandu.

Your Himalayan motorbike adventure comes to an end today.

After breakfast, enjoy some free time depending on your flight schedule.

Our representative will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward journey.